Primary Menu

Tag Archives: credit card security

Fraud and theft is not a new problem in the card-not-present and e-commerce marketplace. For years, criminals have been crafting schemes to steal data and cracking the codes that are meant to protect it. According to the latest reports, merchants that sell goods online each spend an average of $10.1 million per year on fraud-related costs. And, with the crackdown on in-person fraud through the implementation of EMV chip technology, we can only expect to see card-not-present fraud numbers rise.

The United States is the last major country to make the transition to EMV, so we can look to other countries’ experiences for a glimpse of what we can expect to occur.. The general trend illustrates that as counterfeit and lost/stolen fraud decreases due to EMV, criminals find alternate routes to commit theft—primarily in CNP environments. While the UK was able to tame the problem by developing more advanced fraud analytics and using 3-D Secure technology, England is still working to combat the increase in CNP fraud since implementation of EMV in 2006.

So what can e-commerce and other CNP merchants in the U.S. do to protect themselves from the impending fraud spike? Being proactive is key. Here are some of the top imperatives for maximizing data security:

Implement Effective Password Policies – The more secure a password is, the harder it is to hack. By creating and enforcing password policies, you can help to maximize data security. One common “rule” is to require a minimum password length and complexity. For example, you may consider requiring passwords to be at least six characters and contain a mix of lower and uppercase letters, numbers and symbols. Another best practice is regularly enforce password updates—we recommend every six months.

Utilize Two-Step Authentication When Possible – The downside to data security is that it doesn’t always translate to user-friendliness. When a merchant requires customers to jump through hoops to make a purchase, it may deter them from completing the transaction. Instead, consider utilizing two-step, or two-factor, authentication. It’s a process that requires a user to verify their identity through the combination of two components—for example, a phone number, PIN, password, or security code associated with a credit card number.

Avoid Using USB Devices on PCs With Virtual Terminals – Did you know that anytime you attach a USB device to your computer, there’s a potential for being hacked? There’s no need to go throw away all your thumb drives, though. Simply be very cautious when connecting to PCs with virtual terminals where financial transactions are taking place, as they can be especially vulnerable to attack. And, never insert a USB to your computer that you’ve found lying on the ground—it could have been planted by a hacker trying to gain access to your data.

Are you a CNP merchant who needs help navigating through this post-EMV environment? Abtek is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how to maximize your data security and minimize friendly fraud and other theft.

Share and Enjoy

The liability shift has officially hit. Did your business upgrade its equipment in time for the deadline? If not, you’ve probably discovered that the world has not come to an end. However, while you might not feel the effects of the liability shift immediately, becoming EMV-compliant should still be at the top of your priority list.

Don’t just think of it as another task to add to your growing to-do list. By upgrading your equipment and payment processes, you’re truly being a responsible business owner, putting your customers’ data security first. Plus, at the same time, you save yourself the risk of taking on the (costly) liability should a fraudulent charge or data breach occur at your establishment. Here, we’ve rounded up the top three reasons why you should make the switch to EMV-compatible equipment ASAP.

Avoiding Liability Costs = Greater Profits

Every dollar counts when it comes to running a business, especially a smaller one. And that’s why it’s so important for merchants to get on board with new EMV terminals. New POS systems are an investment, but it’s certainly an investment worth making. Since the liability shift on October 1, merchants with outdated equipment are now liable for any fraudulent charges made at their store with an EMV chip card. No merchant is completely safe from fraud, but by upgrading equipment, they can avoid liability costs—and at the end of the day, bring home greater profits.

Meeting Consumer Demands = Happy, Returning Customers

Picture this: It’s the day after Thanksgiving and your store is flooded with customers trying to snag the best deals. A customer finally makes it up to the checkout counter, ready to dip his or her shiny new EMV card, just to find out that they have to use the mag stripe (dun dun dun…). Consumers are smart—they know that it’s more secure to use the chip to make payments than the mag stripe, and they probably also know that your competitor down the street is able to accept the new technology. Chances are, consumers may value the security of their payment data more than the deal you’re offering. Don’t risk losing customers simply because you’re behind the times. Consumers will appreciate the fact that you’re making the security of their data a priority, and you can bet that it will pay off.

New Terminals = Cool New Tech

It’s so easy for POS terminals to fall out of date. You miss one software upgrade and from then on, the technology is unable to live up to its capabilities. Use this opportunity to get a fresh start with your POS system. You can choose to include NFC or contactless payment technology, POS marketing capabilities, and many other perks that you couldn’t justify purchasing on their own. Your new terminals will be easier to manage (your employees will thank you), easier to use (your customers will thank you) and ultimately, they’ll make you look tech-savvy and cool. Bonus!

So, what are you waiting for? The sooner you adopt new EMV technology at your establishment, the sooner you can reap the benefits! Contact your credit card processor today to get started making the transition.

Share and Enjoy

By now, if you haven’t updated your payment equipment to be compatible with EMV chip cards, you’re already a step behind. But, don’t fret—if you own a small business, there’s still time to get new terminals before the liability shift hits on October 1. This late in the game, it will actually be tough to find a new point of sale system that isn’t compatible with EMV chip cards. That’s good news for you because it will make your search easier, plus you’ll have a wide selection of options. We’ve put together a guide to help you determine which type of EMV terminal is right for your business.

What Exactly is an EMV-Compatible POS System?

An EMV terminal differs from traditional magnetic stripe terminals in one major way: it includes a chip-reading portal into which customers insert their EMV cards. This portal features technology that can read the unique payment information that’s generated by the microchip embedded into the card.

What are Your Options?

Different types of businesses have different needs when it comes to payment processing. Here’s a look at the most popular types of EMV-compatible terminals available.

Countertop Terminals – Like their name implies, countertop terminals are placed on top of the checkout counter for customer use. These terminals are available with a number of different features including WiFi connectivity, receipt printing, near-field communication technology and more.

Pin Pads – Pin pads function similarly to countertop terminals. The only difference here is that they can only be used to process debit transactions, which typically have lower fees for the merchant. Often, pin pads are used in conjunction with compatible countertop terminals.

Near-Field Communication Peripherals – NFC is a technology that enables wireless data transfers between two devices in close proximity, often a phone or enabled credit card and a credit card terminal. NFC is kind of like a modern, cool “bonus” feature that can help to speed up the payment process. If the technology is not already embedded into the terminal, peripheral equipment is available.

Wireless Mobile Terminals – Mobile terminals will be key for businesses in the restaurant industry and businesses that interact with their customers on the floor. (Think Apple.) These point-of-sale systems are battery-powered, feature wireless connectivity and give the merchant the freedom to process payments from anywhere.

Where Can You Buy an EMV Credit Card Terminal?

If you work with a reputable merchant services provider (MSP), they’ll have a large inventory of EMV terminals for you to choose from. They’ll take care of all of the programming for you to ensure that it works properly in time for the liability shift. While you could technically purchase a terminal from an outside seller, it would still need to be reprogramed by your MSP, so it’s typically easier and more cost-effective to go directly through your provider.

Don’t Delay – Get Started Now!

Contact your merchant services provider today to place your order for new EMV-compatible terminals. The sooner you take action, the better the chances that you’ll get through this EMV transition chargeback- and fee-free!

Share and Enjoy

Being able to accept EMV cards isn’t as simple as flipping a switch on your existing terminals. In most cases you’ll have to physically replace your POS equipment to be able to accept these more secure, chip-enabled cards. And with only half of merchants expecting to be ready by the October 1 deadline, there’s a lot of work still to be done.

What does the Liability Shift Really Mean?

Currently, merchants are at quite a disadvantage when it comes to credit card fraud. In the event of a fraudulent credit card charge, the merchant is first faced with the loss of the merchandise, which in most cases is irreversible. Then, the cardholder’s bank (the card-issuing bank) takes the hit for the lost funds, meaning that they’re responsible for refunding the person who was the victim of fraud. These banks, however, often look to the merchant for reimbursement, claiming that the business didn’t take the proper measures to prevent the fraudulent charge from occurring.

Come October 1, what we know about fraud liability will be flipped upside down. In essence, once the shift hits, the fraud liability will transfer to the party that has not adopted the new EMV chip card technology.

Here’s a detailed look at how the liability shift will affect your business, depending on the situation in which fraud occurs:

Situation 1: A magnetic stripe card is swiped at an outdated terminal

The merchant hasn’t gotten around to updating their terminals, but lucky for you, the fraudulent charge was made with a traditional magnetic stripe card. In this situation, both parties—the merchant and the card-issuing bank—are at fault, meaning that the liability falls initially on the card-issuing bank, just like today.

Situation 2: An EMV chip card is swiped at an outdated terminal

This is when things really go downhill for merchants. If a customer comes into your store with a chip-enabled card, but they don’t have the equipment to process it properly, they’ll be forced to run it as a magnetic stripe card. This puts the cardholder at an unnecessary risk for a breach of their payment data. In this case, the merchant has not invested in the more secure chip technology and the card-issuing bank has, so the liability falls on the merchant.

Situation 3: A magnetic stripe card is swiped at an EMV-enabled terminal

A recent poll shows that only one in 10 Americans have received new EMV chip cards from their banks. The cost to replace mag stripe credit cards is starting to catch up with the banks and we can expect a number of consumers to still be using magnetic stripe cards, even after the liability shift hits in October. In this case, so long as you have upgraded your equipment, the liability will fall on the card-issuing bank.

Situation 4: An EMV chip card is swiped at an EMV-enabled terminal

In this situation, all parties have put in the effort to upgrade their payment technologies, so it’s unlikely that fraud would even occur in the first place. However, if a fraudulent charge does occur, the liability would fall on the card-issuing bank.

Contact your merchant solutions provider today to find out how you can get EMV-compliant by October 1.

Abtek is here to help merchants like you make the transition from traditional POS terminals to EMV-enabled equipment. We know that EMV can be confusing, and we’re here to answer all of your questions. Give us a call today at (800) 544-9145 to explore your options, before it’s too late! October 1 will be here before you know it! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

We always stress the importance of having secure payment processing solutions so that you can ensure a positive shopping experience for your customers. But don’t forget: You and your business are consumers, too! It’s important for you to be aware that other businesses’ online platforms might not be as secure as yours. When your data is put into the wrong hands, you could be in for a lot of trouble (i.e. identity theft, stolen credit card information, computer hacks, etc.)

The solution? Good habits help merchants safeguard their sensitive business data online. Below, we’ve put together some of the most effective ways to ensure your online data is safe:

1. Choose a Secure Password

Once upon a time it was acceptable to create a singular password for all online accounts. Your password could even be as simple as your business name! But those days are now far behind us. Today’s hackers are smart and the less secure (complex) your password, the easier it is for them to access your data. The best way to keep your data safe is to choose a unique password for each online account. Your passwords should include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters, if allowed. To make it easy, you can use a password generator, like this one by Norton. Keep in mind: High profile businesses should change their passwords several times a year, according to Credit.com.

2. Keep Your Email from Getting Hacked

When your business email gets hacked, you can do some serious damage. You might not even know it was hacked until a client asks you why you sent that “super weird video.” Awkward! An email hack can happen to the best of us, but there are steps you can take to prevent it. First, take our advice and change that password! The more secure the better. While you’re on the settings page in your email, see if there’s an option to implement two-step authentication. This links your email account with your phone number, so anytime you (or a hacker!) logs into an “unrecognized” device, you’ll receive a code on your phone to enter on the device in question. Also remember to be smart when opening email, if a message looks iffy, just don’t click on it!

3. Shop Safely Online

First things first when shopping online: Do not ever enter your credit card information on a website if it doesn’t have SSL encryption installed. How can you know if it’s secure? Take a look at the URL—instead of starting with “http://”, it should start with “https://”. Also look for a little lock icon in the URL box. A website with SSL encrypts sensitive information so that only the intended recipient can understand it. In general, go with your gut feeling when shopping online. If a website just doesn’t feel right, find another one that you trust!

4. Use the Internet for Banking

Online banking is just so convenient, it’s no surprise that more than 51% of U.S. adults use it. To ensure that your online accounts are as secure as a bank vault, you’ll want to follow some of the tips above, like creating a strong password and enabling two-step verification. On top of that, you’ll want to be sure to always keep your computer software up-to-date and always log out when you’re done.

Today, using the internet to do business is simply part of doing business! Just be sure to use it smartly and you’ll be good to go!

Stay updated on payment processing trends by following Abtek on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to receive our newsletter, too.

Share and Enjoy

The cost of not maintaining PCI DDS compliance can be huge, especially when it comes to data breaches and fraud. Unfortunately, many merchants don’t fully understand everything involved with PCI compliance, so card security breaches will continue to occur.

According to a survey conducted by Proficio, 23% of respondents did not even know if their businesses met the most recent set of standards, PCI DDS 3.0, which was released at the beginning of this year.

It’s important for every merchant to understand what PCI DDS means, so that they can take the necessary steps toward ensuring payment security. While it’s not a foolproof solution, it can significantly help to deter data breaches and potential fraud.

Deciphering the Alphabet Soup (PCI DDS)

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DDS, called PCI for short) is a set of 12 requirements that merchants must meet to ensure a secure environment for credit card transactions. The requirements were put in place by the Security Standards Council, comprised of the five major credit card companies: American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard and Visa.

PCI Myths Busted!

There are many misconceptions surrounding PCI. Here, we reveal four of the major myths and the reality behind each of them.

Myth #1 – I own a small business; only large companies and e-commerce websites need to be PCI compliant.

False! Every organization or merchant that accepts credit card transactions must be compliant. The size of the company doesn’t matter, nor does the number of credit card transactions. There are, however, different levels that businesses can fall into, as defined by the major credit card brands. Businesses must determine which level they fall into for each brand and complete the correlated compliance verification requirements.

Myth #2 – Once my business is PCI compliant, I never have to worry about it again.

Many merchants don’t realize that compliance is an ongoing process, not a one-time deal. As a business owner, you (or your merchant services provider) will need to be in continuous communication with your acquiring bank and the card brands with which you do business. This will ensure that any payment security vulnerabilities are identified and fixed in a timely fashion to maintain PCI compliance.

Using a third-party processor can help to improve payment security and reduce risk exposure, but it is not a guarantee that your business is PCI compliant. As a business owner, you need to take responsibility to ensure that your payment processing system is up to PCI standards. Ask questions and be proactive—if they can’t answer or don’t know, it may be time reconsider your merchant services provider.

Myth #4 – Nothing bad will happen if my business isn’t PCI compliant.

If a business fails to maintain PCI compliance, payment brands, such as Visa and American Express, have the right to fine acquiring banks anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000 per month. These fees eventually trickle down to the merchant who violated the compliance. On top of that, the bank will very likely increase transaction fees or terminate the relationship with the merchant. It’s important for merchants to understand that the costs associated with PCI violations can be destructive to businesses of all sizes.

Business Owners: Take Action Now!

Not sure if your business is PCI compliant? The experts at Abtek are experienced at guiding business owners, just like you, through the complex validation process. Contact us today to find out how we help you ensure that your business’s payment processes are secure.

Stay updated on payment processing trends by following Abtek on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to receive our newsletter, too.

Insecure Data Storage

An Oswap.org business data breach analysis has figured in the many threats posed against companies utilizing point-of-sale technology. Store-based devices aren’t entirely safe from malware, malicious users or false authentication. Similarly, the following habits can severely compromise a customer’s security at, and after, the register:

The Importance of Employee Training

Task distribution promotes business connectivity, and a well-connected business may further assist its customers. When employees aren’t trained effectively, however, their customer attentiveness may dwindle. Similarly, they may forget or fail to execute vital actions needed for customer safety.

Anyone operating a business register or information database should be capable of utilizing supreme precaution. A negligent employee may not mean to compromise a customer’s information—but poorly trained job skills can absolutely exploit important information.

Credit Card Security

Forgers often utilize fraudulent credit cards and their potential danger should be understood. This primarily affects the business, rather than the consumer. However, anything capable of targeting a business’s secure data infrastructure should be considered a vital security risk to everyone involved.

When examining credit cards for purchases, merchants must remember to check the following:

Valid expiration dates

First four account numbers above the card’s first four numbers

Three-dimensional security hologram

Matching signatures

Fraudulent credit cards can affect a business when high-tech sales processing machinery is forgone, which is why maintaining comprehensive point-of-sale processing is incredibly important.

Remember: The consumer is relatively unprotected during most transactions. While a business actively maintains systems to ensure their own privacy and sustainability, consumers may be exposed. Proper routines, effective employee training and a watchful eye during transactions will not only protect the consumer’s information—it’ll breed a business atmosphere deserving of trust and success.

Stay updated on payment processing trends by following Abtek on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to receive our newsletter, too.

A data breach occurs when an outsider obtains customer information, putting customers at risk for fraudulent charges and identity theft. It can also threaten the reputation of businesses.

There are useful practices and various steps a business can take to prevent such breaches.

1. Sticking with old, familiar technology

It is important for businesses to keep up with technology. They must upgrade security in addition to the ways they process payments. While it can be more costly to move to the newest methods, it makes customer information much more secure. After all, those who would illegally gain access to customer information will be using new technology—so why shouldn’t your business stay one step ahead?

Target is an example of a major company that had a data breach due to outdated technology. To prevent this issue in the future, they’ve begun to implement the technology to be able to process mobile payments.

2. Using the same POS system across all stores

Business owners can be tempted to go with what they know, especially if they’re a chain. They become familiar with certain technology, and so they tend to use it in across all stores. However, this habit should be changed. Businesses need to have different computer systems for franchise stores, especially with regard to POS systems.

Jimmy John’s stores were the victims of a major data breach because many of their POS systems were the same. The perpetrators of the data breach were able to clone payments once they figured out how the POS systems worked. If the chain had different POS systems, the data breach may not have occurred.

3. Not updating encryption

Encryption of information is the most important way to protect your customers. Encryption scrambles customer data, such as credit card numbers, and makes it unreadable. That way, in the event of a data breach, the information obtained is useless.

Home Depot was hit with a data breach that originated from malware. Home Depot’s security system could not protect against the malware due to how new it was. But, updated encryption software would have made the data unusable to those who created the malware.

4. Insecure employee login information

Employers must give employees access to computer systems and data in order to do their jobs. However, it is easy to become complacent with employee login information. Employee passwords may be easy to guess. Employee credentials may not be deactivated when an employee leaves. Business owners must cease those bad practices. Employee passwords should be complex and changed every few months. Credentials must be deactivated when an employee leaves.

eBay’s data breach occurred because the thieves used employee login information. It is not clear how the hackers had access to employee credentials, but if eBay had made employee credentials more secure, the data breach may have been prevented.

5. Failure to watch computer systems

Businesses must regularly watch computer systems, especially POS systems, for signs of a potential security issue. They should look for any irregular transactions or payments. They should check the system for malware and viruses. It is easy to trust security, but vigilance will prevent a data breach from going unnoticed.

In the case of the Neiman Marcus data breach, they failed to check their systems. Not only did the data breach occur, but it went unnoticed for months, despite malware being on their POS systems. It is vital that businesses scan for malware and harmful programs on a regular basis.

Stay updated on payment processing trends by following Abtek on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to receive our newsletter, too.

Share and Enjoy

Changes are coming to way we purchase just about everything. After a few years of lagging behind the rest of the world, the U.S. is finally making its way toward EMV cards nationwide. EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa) capable cards are a leap into the future from traditional magnetic swipe cards of the past. So what do you need to know about this new economic innovation?

1. EMV Is The Safest Way to Purchase

Most individuals have already moved away from cash in preference of using cards to maintain their accounts and make purchases. However, even our cards are susceptible to fraud and misuse. The reason behind this is because the information contained on the magnetic strip never changes. If a criminal duplicates that strip they have the consumer’s information. EMV cards will have microchips instead. The information on these chips will change with each transaction making them impossible to replicate.

2. EMV Transactions Will Be Slower

Unlike quick swipe cards, EMV cards use a process called “dipping.” The card is dipped into a data portal where you must allow time for the machine to read the card. Because the verification process is more thorough, the process will take a bit longer.

3. Most EMV Cards Will Use PINs

Just like your old debit cards, new EMV cards will also have a PIN number.

4. New Fraud Rules With the Advent of EMV Cards

One of the big controversies associated with card fraud has always been who the blame should fall on when fraud occurs. Starting October 2015, major U.S. card issuers will hold non-compliant EMV parties liable when fraud occurs. So if a merchant has not gotten on board with EMV, and something fraudulent takes place, then the merchant may be held liable.

5. Most Merchant Terminals Will Be EMV Compliant By 2017

The EMV shift will take some time. Although merchants are being encouraged to be compliant by 2015 to avoid fraud liability, automated fuel dispensers will be compliant by 2017.

6. You Can Use EMV Cards With Non-Compliant Merchants

Although the risk of fraud is greater, non- compliant merchants will be able to process EMV cards with their old card machines.

7. EMV Cards Are Great For Traveling

The U.S. is actually one of the last major markets to change over to EMV cards, so if you are traveling outside of the U.S. it is likely that you will have an even easier time using them while traveling abroad.

8. EMV Cards Will Not Solve Online Fraud

Do not get the idea that EMV cards will solve all forms of fraud. Online fraud can still take place within the new system which is why consumers and merchants are encouraged to continue to keep tight reigns on their transactions and security measures.

9. Expect to See A New Card Soon

When the financial institutions that you use become EMV compliant, you will receive a new EMV card or smart card with instructions on how to use and protect it.

10. Merchants Need to Get On Board

In order to avoid the risk of huge fraud liability, merchants do not need to drag their feet on EMV compliance. Updating systems and getting on board with EMV can safeguard small to mid-size businesses from being a part of possible fraud situations.

Stay up to date on payment processing trends by following Abtek on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to receive our newsletter, too.

Before consumers will take any risks on making purchases with a merchant service, they need assurances that their privacy is intact, their financial information is secure during credit card processing and that they are being protected from the invasive efforts of identity thieves through merchant service compliance initiatives.

Leading providers of merchant services offer credit card processing and POS systems management to most level 4 merchants such as debit card and credit cards from Visa, MasterCard and others.

Merchants understand, for the most part, that PCI compliance is not just a requirement, but a business responsibility for covering their consumers. Small business merchants believe that complying with PCI standards improves their business security. In fact since 2012, businesses that have stepped up their security PCI compliance have seen up to 50% growth in customer based sales, and even more recently.

Identity Theft Can Happen to Companies and Individuals

Business identity theft protection is as vital to thriving businesses as it is to consumers. When hackers compromise the security of business merchant records, they can get a hold of personal financial records of thousands of customers. With the continuing global growth of ecommerce trade, new innovative controls have been developed over the years to keep ahead of business hacker’s efforts.

Digital Solutions to Credit Card and Identity Theft Threats

Consumers are readily adopting the concept of mobile commerce technologies. Many find it easier to trust mega-corporations to secure customer online payments using business intelligence security using their smartphones and other digital devices than to trust the security of small businesses in brick and mortar shops.

One way financial institutions are protecting consumer security from identity thieves is by using geo-location within their payment and purchasing eco-systems. In fact, mega corporations like Google, Apple, PayPal and Square are investing big time in new geo-based technology. Processes for secure transactions using smartphone apps will soon become recognized as the safer and more secure transaction method, our digital wallets, over physical credit and debit cards.

Retailers have the capacity to provide security in a seamless, secure market with direct service transactions for their customers who elect to use mobile payment technologies. The built in securities in smartphones and payment apps will deter identity theft and wall out hackers, making mobile merchant accounts and their ecommerce companies highly regarded by consumers for their digital protective powers.

Efficiency in Chargeback Procedures and Compliance

An integrated online payment duty of merchant service accounts is to guarantee coverage for following through with customer chargebacks. The financial service industry is more versatile in administering certain guidelines and maintaining reserve funds for chargebacks for dissatisfied credit card holders. There have been many instances with banks denying valid claims because of their restricting regulations.

Pro-Active Protection Methods Used by Merchant Services Companies

Many merchant service companies provide their customers with software that can notify them if fraudulent activities are suspected on their accounts. Some banks will put a temporary hold on credit card activities until the customer makes a call to confirm unusual charges, before anything really serious can happen. If too many password attempts hit a merchant website page, their merchant account will be temporarily blocked until they call in to change the password.

Some merchant services websites outline the steps to take if a suspected fraudulent incident happens to a merchant account; these steps are designed to stop identity thieves in their tracks. Some financial services act as interceders between the seller and purchaser so they never have a printout or stamp of your account, and the information they receive on any transaction is limited. This can be as effective as using encoded passwords and account numbers.

Internet specialists, programmers and software designers are working around the clock to stay ahead with innovative features for safety in the online financial and marketing industry. Many trusted avenues for transferring money are being tasked to ensure that clients have a safe mode of completing business and sales without the danger of identity theft. Users who are observant, make good decisions and follow protection warnings when online can safely avoid identity theft.